Georgia County Government - January 2009 - (Page 13)

Statesboro-Bulloch County Chamber of Commerce Director Peggy Chapman, DOT Commissioner Gena Evans and ACCG President Jan Tankersley at a recent meeting of the Chamber’s Government Operations Committee functions, which attract state leaders as speakers. Jan Tankersley with Department of Community Affairs Commissioner, Mike Beatty, at the Newly Elected Conference conducted in December. BULLOCH COUNTY continued from page 11 arrival, Statesboro and Bulloch County gained prominence. The flagship postsecondary institution of South Georgia today boasts an enrollment approaching 18,000 students, and is gaining popularity all the time. Ogeechee Technical College, with almost 2,000 enrolled students, is also an influential institution here, and offers a wide range of technical and trade degree programs for high school graduates and adults, preparing them for wellpaying jobs in many industries. Both these local governments, separately and together, have established a quality of life here that is exceptional – including ample economic and educational opportunities, diverse cultural offerings, abundant recreational and historic interests, and more – all led by a progressive county government that remains fiscally conservative with the taxpayers’ purse. The rich legacy of agriculture, forestry and high-quality natural resources are obvious to everyone, and “with industries, it’s often love at first sight,” County Manager Tom Couch notes. much to plan for. Today, Bulloch County is positioned on the “fringe” of the expanding Savannah metropolitan area, and is now home to more than 66,000 residents, having nearly doubled its population since 1980. In step with Georgia’s status as the third fastest-growing state in the nation, Bulloch is the coastal region’s third fastest-growing county, behind Bryan and Effingham, and is the third most-populous in the coastal region, behind Chatham and Glynn counties. “Bulloch’s annual growth rate is twice as fast that of the region as a whole, and outpaces the state’s overall growth rate,” offers Couch, adding that Bulloch also ranks in the top 20 percent of Georgia’s fastest growing counties. Estimates are Horizons for Growth With coastal Georgia’s increasing attraction to incoming populations and the allure it has for industries, there is Today, Bulloch County is positioned on the “fringe” of the expanding Savannah metropolitan area, and is now home to more than 66,000 residents, having nearly doubled its population since 1980. that 45,000 persons reside within 3 miles of central Statesboro. However, Bulloch County’s population by the end of the decade will likely be at 70,000 residents or more. Couch adds, “Th is will bring the prospect of Statesboro and Bulloch County reaching the status as a small metropolitan statistical area (MSA) by 2010. Our community must continue to manage our resources wisely as we continue to grow.” According to County Development Services Division Director Andy Welch, Bulloch County will become increasingly attractive as growth steps up. “Our quality of life led by a lower tax burden, a growing business sector and the University will influence more people to choose to live and work here, we believe. Over time, the question will be if Statesboro-Bulloch County will become among the smaller but independent MSA’s like Hinesville-Liberty County and Brunswick-Glynn County, or will be an extension of the larger Savannah MSA. Only time will tell.” Asking themselves what kind of growth the county wants, officials have some time to craft it. County Commission Chairman Garrett Nevil, a retired banker entering his second term in office, believes balance through sound planning and stewardship of resources will open the doors for positive growth. “Bulloch County has a wonderful diversity of business, culture and rural ambience. Our growth, however, puts an emphasis on the need to protect BULLOCH COUNTY continued on page 15 JANUARY 2009 www.accg.org 13 http://www.accg.org

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Georgia County Government - January 2009

Georgia County Government - January 2009 Contents President’s Message County Matters Forward-Thinking Bulloch County Leaders Put Progress on the Front Burner Robert Farris: Champion for Georgia’s Forests ACCG, BCBS of Georgia Work Together to Improve County Employee Health Georgia’s Grand Old Courthouses: McIntosh County Extension News: Cooperative Extension Generates ROI Research Corner: How Does Your County Rate? County Parade Index of Advertisers

Georgia County Government - January 2009

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